Als' Bowman, master of change, ready for more this season

MONTREAL, QUEBEC; NOVEMBER 21, 2010 -- Montreal Alouettes John Bowman celebrates his fourth quarter sack of Toronto Argonauts quarterback Cleo Lemon during the Canadian Football League Eastern Final in Montreal, November 21, 2010.

Photograph by: John Mahoney
, The Gazette

MONTREAL -- John Bowman is getting accustomed to playing for new defensive coordinators, Noel Thorpe becoming the fourth in as many seasons he has now worked under.

But the veteran defensive-end, who on Friday signed a three-year contract extension with the Alouettes, will undoubtedly feel a void at training camp this June, knowing defensive-line coach Mike Sinclair, his position coach since 2008, has departed, joining former head coach Marc Trestman with the Chicago Bears.

"I'll definitely feel the loss. On a personal level, he was a good dude," Bowman told The Gazette in a telephone interview. "He made me into what I am over the five years he was here. He taught me a lot of technique. I'm going to miss him more than Trestman.

"It's going to sound weird, but I never play for a certain coach," Bowman added. "Coaches change. I try not to get stuck in a system, because systems, coaches and players are going to change. I just want to play the best I can -- for me, my legacy, my family, my last name and my teammates. If you play for a coach and get stuck in that system, it's hard for you to adapt."

Bowman, 30, has played consistently, year in and out, perhaps thanks to Sinclair's presence and tutelage. Bowman produced seven quarterback sacks last season in only 15 games, tying him for the team lead with middle linebacker Shea Emry.

But Bowman, 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, is now faced with a trifecta -- new coordinator, head coach in Dan Hawkins and position coach, Keith Willis.

"Five years ago it was the same thing," Bowman said. "Trestman walked into the building with all American coaches. Nobody gave us a chance in the world. I thought we'd go 4-14."

Instead, the Als went 11-7, finished first in the East pision and advanced to the Grey Cup. Although the championship game was played at Olympic Stadium, Montreal lost 22-14 to Calgary.

"You can say Trestman paved the way for Hawkins. It makes it easier to accept," Bowman said. "We're excited. It's kind of a breath of fresh air for the team. I think we'll be fine."

Bowman would have been entering the option year of his contract this season, but gladly accepted the team's offer to extend, knowing numerous remaining teammates potentially will be free agents in February 2014. "I decided to get my hand in the pot now," Bowman quipped.

Bowman isn't prepared to say this contract will be his last, although he'll be 33 at the time. Should he reach that juncture, he'll have played 10 seasons with Montreal and undoubtedly will hold the team record for career sacks. Indeed, that mark, held by Anwar Stewart with 66, could fall next season for Bowman, who registered three consecutive seasons of 12 sacks between 2009-11.

Bowman bounced around under Jeff Reinebold, playing some linebacker and even defensive-tackle when the team had injury problems. He still recorded a career-best 37 defensive tackles -- none bigger than a sack on Saskatchewan quarterback Darian Durant on the game's final play, Oct. 20, securing a win.

Bowman is a three-time East pision all-star.

"Last season was different, real weird," Bowman said. "I'm not going to say it was trying, but it was a new experience. I learned a lot about football last year.

"It's important to know somebody wants you to be around. I never imagined playing in the CFL, to make a name for myself and to have a team show you loyalty. I appreciate it. They came at me now. I don't have to wait out my option year (wondering) am I going to get hurt, or do I have to play a certain way to get another contract?"

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MONTREAL, QUEBEC; NOVEMBER 21, 2010 -- Montreal Alouettes John Bowman celebrates his fourth quarter sack of Toronto Argonauts quarterback Cleo Lemon during the Canadian Football League Eastern Final in Montreal, November 21, 2010.

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